Rafa Benitez insists injury-hit Everton’s draw at Chelsea is his ‘most important result’ at the club

Rafael Benitez thinks he gained his most important result of his time as Everton manager subsequent their one-one draw at Chelsea.

Toffees centre-back again Jarrad Branthwaite marked his initially Premier League overall look considering that July 2020 with the equaliser from an Anthony Gordon free of charge-kick at Stamford Bridge immediately after Mason Mount had provided the hosts the direct.

Everton had been specifically depleted up entrance, with Richarlison, Andros Townsend, Salomon Rondon and Demarai Gray signing up for their damage record as beneath-fireplace manager Benitez’s woes ongoing to mount.

Travelling followers also unfurled a banner which browse ‘Benitez get out of our club’ ahead of kick-off but had been toasting the Spaniard immediately after a tricky-fought albeit fortuitous draw for a side lacking as lots of as 11 senior gamers because of to damage and sickness.

And when questioned if this was the most important result of his time at Goodison Park, the Spaniard replied: ‘You can say that, for the reason that we have so lots of issues, with injuries, with sickness.

‘The way the staff performed, reacted when we conceded, showed character. It’s a fantastic level, not just the level but the way we claimed it. Absolutely everyone realised how important and how difficult it was afterwards.’

The Toffees have however won just one particular of their past 11 Premier League matches, but Benitez praised the impression the spirit inside his squad and bemoaned their horrendous luck with injuries.

‘The gameplan is always there and it is dependent on the gamers,’ he told BT Activity.

‘The gamers, followers all jointly, the spirit of the Blues as they say, the issues with senior gamers not available, so we essential spirit, dedication and depth towards a superior staff. I am seriously delighted and it is a superior level.

‘We had been training the established-parts and Jarrad Branthwaite did effectively. Jonjoe Kenny was doing the job so tricky and everyone was supplying all the things. We endured a little bit extra currently so towards a superior staff we did what we had to do.

‘Every single participant on the pitch was one hundred for each cent making a contribution for the gameplan. At the conclusion everyone was delighted. When gamers are not playing, the relaxation of the staff are delighted for them way too.

‘Great character was demonstrated, we are coming back again in a lot of online games. The way they labored we deserved some thing. We have had way too a lot undesirable luck with injuries. The response of the staff was amazing.’